Pennington Gap, VA – The band that had folks dancing in the aisles last summer is back by popular demand! Kadencia is an 11-piece ensemble that plays bomba and plena, music and dance styles native to Puerto Rico, in their traditional percussive form. Kadencia will perform on Saturday, Sept. 21st at 7 p.m. at Lee Theatre in Pennington Gap. Tickets are $15 at the door. Children and students are free to attend. This performance is brought to you by the Pro-Art Association in partnership with the Town of Pennington Gap and the Lee County Community Foundation in conjunction with the W. Campbell Edmonds Concert Series. For more information and to make reservations please visit proartva.org.
Founded in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico by singer-songwriter Maurice Sanabria-Ortiz and percussionist Roberto Candelario, Kadencia now calls Richmond, Virginia its home base and is led by father-son duo of Maurice Sanabria-Ortiz and Maurice “Tito” Sanabria. “We’re all about making people move, making people groove, enjoy themselves and learn something in the process,” Sanabria-Ortiz said.
Kadencia’s music and sounds pay homage to and follow the traditions of plena from Western Puerto Rico, with narrative lyrics that vividly describe Puerto Rican society and culture utilizing long-rooted storytelling traditions. The ensemble’s high-energy bomba and plena has been known to make audiences move in ways they never knew possible. “We’re thrilled to welcome this festive band back to our region and see if Lee County can dance like Wise,” Pro-Art Executive Director Michael McNulty said with a playful grin.
Kadencia has performed at events such as the Que Pasa? Festival, Richmond’s Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival, Viva RVA Hispanic Music Festival, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Chesterfield County’s Festival de Música, and the Richmond Folk Festival. Learn more about the band at kadencia.net.
Tickets to the 48th Pro-Art season are on sale now! Offering an impressive selection of theater, jazz, and some truly unique performances by storytellers, puppeteers, and even an aerial circus—there’s something for everyone this season and a lot of additional opportunities to be adventurous and try something new. At less than $2 per show, Pro-Art’s $40 season ticket ($35 for seniors) represents some of the strongest and most accessible arts programming in the country. Season tickets are valid for all performances of the 48th season and can be purchased online, in person at any show, or by calling (276) 376-4520. Explore the season and make reservations to attend at proartva.org.
Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with accessibility needs or general questions are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email pro-art@uvawise.edu. For evolving conditions related to weather cancellations, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for up-to-date information.
This project was supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Pro-Art is additionally supported by the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.
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